The Joint Hydrographic Center 2025 funding opportunity, announced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is a competitive funding initiative through the NOS Office of Coast Survey (OCS). This program supports the operation and advancement of a Joint Hydrographic Center, aligned with federal mandates including the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act and the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act. With a proposed project period spanning from October 1, 2025, to December 31, 2030, the funding opportunity is structured as a five-year cooperative agreement with a single institution of higher education, facilitating extensive federal engagement and co-location of staff.

The core objective of the program is to improve the technology and practice of hydrographic surveying and coastal and ocean mapping in the United States. The selected center will undertake cutting-edge research and development to enhance data acquisition, value-added processing, marine geospatial services, and soundscape modeling. Program priorities include improving uncrewed systems and sensor technologies, developing innovative data processing and AI applications, and supporting ocean-based economic activities such as aquaculture and marine navigation. Educational components are also central, involving graduate-level curricula and outreach to strengthen marine geospatial expertise and workforce development.

This opportunity provides up to $47.5 million over five years, with an anticipated annual release of $9.5 million starting in FY 2025. The cooperative agreement entails substantial NOAA involvement, including the co-location of up to 14 NOAA employees and their vessels. Applicants must demonstrate appropriate infrastructure, including office and lab space, vessels, IT systems, and waterfront facilities. A robust data sharing and environmental compliance plan is also required. No cost-sharing or matching funds are required, but institutional commitment will factor into the evaluation.

Eligible applicants are limited to U.S.-based institutions of higher education. Proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 27, 2025. Registrations with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons are mandatory and should be initiated well in advance due to potential delays of up to six weeks. Required documents include a complete SF-424 R&R application package, detailed budget justification, project narrative, data management plan, and NEPA questionnaire. Applications must comply with Buy America provisions for infrastructure projects.

Evaluation criteria include importance and relevance (20 points), technical merit (25 points), applicant qualifications (30 points), budget (15 points), and outreach and education (10 points). Each proposal will undergo independent peer review and may be selected out of rank order based on various programmatic considerations. Anticipated project start date is January 1, 2026. All awardees must comply with NOAA’s administrative, environmental, and data management policies.